Clergy
Rabbi Stephen Kahn
Senior RabbiRabbi Stephen Kahn was born in San Francisco, California. After receiving his B.A. in Politics from the University of…
Team Members
Rabbi Stephen Kahn
Senior RabbiRabbi Stephen Kahn was born in San Francisco, California. After receiving his B.A. in Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Rabbi Kahn attended the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion where he was ordained as a rabbi in 1995. He became Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in July of 2003.
Rabbi Kahn’s passion for Jewish education, youth work and his dedication for creating an inner generational congregation has guided him throughout his years in the rabbinate. He believes that in order to create a “Kehilah Kedosha,” – “A Sacred Community,” that our members must become fully integrated into all aspects of congregational life. Rabbi Kahn has made personal accessibility and individual connection a critical aspect of his rabbinate.
In addition to his rabbinic duties at the Congregation, Rabbi Kahn is a member on the regional board of the Anti Defamation League (ADL). Rabbi Kahn has three children, Ethan, Gabrielle and Isabelle.
Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin
Rabbi and Executive EducatorRabbi Sara Mason-Barkin was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May, 2010, after receiving her Masters…
Team Members
Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin
Rabbi and Executive EducatorRabbi Sara Mason-Barkin was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May, 2010, after receiving her Masters Degree in Jewish Education in 2008. Prior to her studies at the Hebrew Union College, Sara earned her Bachelors Degree from Brandeis University in Sociology and Judaic Studies.
Rabbi Mason-Barkin began her career as an educator in a Jewish day school. While teaching, Sara discovered a passion for helping people of all ages find meaningful moments of Jewish connection in their own lives. This dedication to pursuing further work in the field of Jewish education led her to Jerusalem, where she began her rabbinical studies.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Rabbi Mason-Barkin has spent significant time in Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Rabbi Mason-Barkin lives with her husband, Josh, and her three children, Charlie, Sela and Milo.
Cantor Seth Ettinger
CantorCantor Seth Ettinger is an avid golfer, Ghostbusters and movie enthusiast, and loves to watch ice hockey. Originally from…
Team Members
Cantor Seth Ettinger
CantorCantor Seth Ettinger is an avid golfer, Ghostbusters and movie enthusiast, and loves to watch ice hockey. Originally from Los Angeles, Cantor Ettinger received a Bacherlor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from California State University Northridge in 2009; and a Masters Degree in Jewish Sacred Music as well as the ordination of Hazzan from the Academy for Jewish Religion California in 2014. His thesis entitled, The Therapeutic Aspects of the Nigun, illustrated how Jewish sacred musical modes could be used to alleviate the listener of emotional stress and move them into a more optimal headspace.
Before coming to Congregation Beth Israel, Cantor Ettinger served as the first full time Associate Cantor of Wilshire Boulevard Temple; the oldest and largest congregation in Los Angeles. During his five year tenure, Cantor Ettinger spent much of his time engaging the congregation’s youth and developed new multigenerational programs that strengthened interpersonal relationships and identity. He built and mentored the largest synagogue youth choir on the west coast and rebuilt the congregation’s young professional group.
Cantor Ettinger is a published author and poet as well as a composer of both Jewish and secular contemporary music. He is the founder of the award-winning Jewish musical group YA-ALEH. In addition to his pulpit duties, Cantor Ettinger is an active member of both the American Conference of Cantors and the Cantors Assembly. “Music is as essential to life as the very air we breathe. Without it, we would cease to be.” Essential to Cantor Ettinger’s life is his wife, Sarah, and their son Ronen.